L-Serine Supplements Guide

Serine, which can be found in foods (such as eggs whites, spirulina, and lima beans), is a non-essential amino acid that our bodies make. Serine can be manufactured into supplements, generally referred to as L-serine and D-serine.

L-serine is made from other amino acids like glycine, and it gets converted into D-serine in the glial cells.

To better understand if these supplements might be beneficial for you to take, we will go over what these supplements are, how they work, their known benefits and negative side effects, how to take them, and what to look for when you are shopping around for a good Serine supplement.

What Are Serine Supplements?

Serine, which is composed of the amino acids threonine and glycine, is a non-essential amino acid that helps to build proteins in the brain. Serine is also used to help create the compound phosphatidylserine, which is used to make the myelin sheaths that form protective barriers around the body’s nerve cells.

Serine supplements are becoming more readily available on the market and can be purchased online or at grocery stores and pharmacies.

Benefits of Serine Supplements

A lack of Serine in the body means that the body is not able to produce enough Tryptophan, a neurochemical responsible for mood stabilization. When our bodies do not make enough Tryptophan (as well as serotonin), we tend to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even insomnia. Low levels of serine also seem to be a factor in illnesses such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS).

Serine supplements can also assist in the creation of Creatine, which helps the muscles grow and remain strong. It is also beneficial if you have a slow metabolism and need your metabolic process sped up.

Serine supplements can also be helpful for people who are not getting enough Serine from their food. Eggs, spirulina, and lima beans are all rich in Serine. However, if you have an allergy or intolerance to some of these foods (for example, many people cannot eat eggs due to a sensitivity), taking Serine supplements might help you gain the Serine you need to stabilize your levels.

Precautions

As with any supplement that you buy, you should always speak with your doctor first about Serine before actually taking it. Your doctor can provide recommendations for brands if they feel that you would benefit from taking Serine. Women who are pregnant, looking to become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding should refrain from taking Serine, as should children under the age of 18 since it is currently unknown just what kind and how much of an impact Serine supplements can have on babies and children.

An overabundance of Serine in the human body can lead to toxicity in the nerve cells, so you will want to make sure you are not taking too elevated of a serine dosage. If you already have a sufficient Serine level in your body, there is no need to take these supplements. Taking them could actually worsen your health.

Other known side effects of Serine supplements include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, frequent urination, and insomnia. Most of the reported side effects are mild in nature. Those who take it and have stopped tend to report that they ceased taking their Serine supplements because they were either causing side effects or were just ineffective. Overall, it appears that Serine supplements are safe for most people to take if they have a lack of Serine being produced in their bodies.

Always speak with a medical professional or doctor before taking any supplements. Always read the product label for instructions and directions.

Taking Serine Supplements

Serine supplement dosages are going to vary somewhat based on your doctor’s recommendations and the brand that you buy. There is powdered L-serine available on the market as well as capsule formulas. Generally speaking, a daily dosage of Serine is somewhere in the ballpark of 400 to 600 mg/kg per day, divided up into four to six doses (of 100 mg/kg each). Typically, people opt to take the 600 mg/kg daily dosage.

Regardless of whether you are taking capsules or a powdered Serine mix, make sure you follow the directions listed on the packaging and/or those given to you by your doctor. Capsules are generally recommended to be taken with food and water. Powdered mixes can be mixed with water or juice. These powdered mixes tend to not have any taste and are completely water soluble, so you will not encounter an unpleasant taste or after-taste.

If you are taking other medications and/or supplements, you should check with your doctor to make sure that they will not cause a negative drug interaction that could worsen symptoms or cause new issues to occur.

What to Look for in a Good Serine Supplement

While there are many types and brand of Serine supplements on the market to choose from, the most crucial factor you should be looking for when buying a good Serine supplement is purity of the product. Just how much Serine is really in your Serine supplement? What else is listed on the packaging’s ingredients list? Since users tend to report getting the best results from pure Serine supplements, your best bet might be to spend the extra money to buy a high-quality pure Serine powder.

Many supplements contain additives and fillers that sometimes include allergens like soy, so those with allergies should be aware of this. Also, vegans and vegetarians should steer clear of any capsule that uses gelatin since this is a non-vegetarian product used in many capsule packagings. Instead, vegans and vegetarians are encouraged to look for capsule supplements that are made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), which is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly capsule packaging semisynthetic product.

While the powdered, pure form seems to be best, there are plenty of capsule brands to choose from. As always, consult with your doctor before trying these supplements.

Important Notice: The information on supplementhound.com is intended for entertainment purposes only and and does not constitute professional, medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis, and may not be used as such. The information on this site is not written, reviewed or endorsed by a medical professional, and is only to be used at your own risk. Make sure to follow label instructions for whichever product you purchase. Supplementhound.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after reading this information, and does not assume liability if one misuses products featured on this website. Always consult your doctor before using any products you see on this website. The results may vary about any product effectiveness.